5 Famous People With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis affects many individuals, including these famous people with MS.

Jack Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne’s son and star of the MTV reality show The Osbournes, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in June 2012 at the age of 26. His MS diagnosis came when his first-born daughter Pearl was only two months old.

In an interview, Osbourne said he had experienced symptoms for several years before he was diagnosed with RRMS. His symptoms included blindness in one eye, numbness in both of his legs, and issues with his stomach, bladder and bowels. Osbourne manages his MS with diet – including juicing and going on the popular paleo diet, exercise, daily medication – a shot of Copaxone, stress-management, and vitamins. He has also received stem cell treatment in Europe. Osbourne is a great example of someone who actively manages his MS.

Clay Walker, a country music singer who made his debut in 1993 with his number one single “What’s It To You”, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1996 at the age of 26. At the time of his diagnosis, Walker had just completed his fourth album and he was experiencing the joys of his born child. The residuals of Walker’s first attack left him with serious numbness in his right extremities.

His facial spasms, numbness, tingling, and fatigue, didn’t stop him from going on to sell 10 million albums, including more number one hits. In 2003, Walker went on to start the non-profit organization, Band Against MS Foundation, dedicating his time to helping others with MS and to finding a cure. Walker can easily be called an inspiration for others who are living with multiple sclerosis.

Montel Williams, the Emmy-award winning talk show host of the Montel Williams Show, was diagnosed with MS in 1999. When first diagnosed with MS, Williams admits he was suicidal, but he had an epiphany and realized suicide was not the answer. Williams practices calming techniques for when his MS symptoms get the best of him. The technique includes closing his eyes, thinking of a gratuitous moment in his past, taking a couple of deep breaths, and then opening his eyes again. Williams also pays close attention to his diet, exercise, and medication – including 27 pills and several injections.

Just a year after his diagnosis, Williams went on to form The Montel Williams MS Foundation, which has raised $1.5 million since its inception for MS research. Williams also went on to write a New York Times bestselling book called Living Well Emotionally: Break Through to a Life of Happiness. In his book, he chronicles his battle against MS, and how he fought against it with foods and a new regimen. Part of his regimen includes psychiatric and psychological techniques in order to deal with the pain he experiences in his feet and shins and most recently, his face.

Trevor Bayne, NASCAR driver, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the young age of 22, only two years after being the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500. Bayne was diagnosed with MS on November 12, 2013.

Despite having been diagnosed with MS, the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota ran a series of tests on the young NASCAR driver, and has cleared him for driving again. At this time, Bayne is not taking any medications, as he says he has not experienced any other symptoms after the initial numbness he experienced in his arm. Bayne’s first attack included fatigue, nausea, and blurred vision. Since his diagnosis, Bayne says he’s just as competitive as ever and is in the best shape of his life, and feels good. Bayne’s younger sister also has MS.